Parametric tuning of an intergrated circuit after fabrication

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for repairing or improving the behavior of a tunable circuit of an integrated circuit (IC) when a target parameter exceeds a predetermined range due to a design and/or fabrication problem. The tunable circuit includes one or more tuning controllers for tuning a corresponding number of target circuits. Each tuning controller includes one or more registers and an optional decoder. Each target circuit includes a tunable portion and a functional portion. The functional portion can have one or more of a wide variety of functions including but not limited to logical gates, buffers, signal generators and amplifiers. The selectable parameters of the tunable circuit include timing delays, trip voltages, rise/fall times and/or output impedances. When a circuit designer wishes to tune the target parameter, an appropriate tuning pattern is latched into registers of the tuning controller. In turn, the tuning controller generates corresponding tuning pattern signals enabling target circuit(s) to changeably tune the target parameter by selectively enabling different tunable portions of the target circuit. For example, by selecting the appropriate load resistance and/or capacitance of the tunable circuit, the rise/fall time of the target circuit is tuned for compatibility with respect to the other portions of the IC or system. The tunable circuit of the present invention advantageously lends itself to post-fabrication correction of design or fabrication problems, thereby increasing the potential yield rate. In addition, the tunable circuit can be tested under different operating conditions in a non-destructive manner without the need for another time-consuming and costly IC fabrication cycle. Other advantages include the ability to selectively operate target circuit(s) of the IC at a higher speed under ideal conditions and at a lower speed under hostile conditions.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/449,716, filed Jun. 7,1995 U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,158.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of integrated circuit design andtesting. More particularly, the present invention relates to the tuningof integrated circuit parameters after fabrication.

2. Description of the Related Art

The typical design and fabrication of an integrated circuit (IC)involves the following steps. The desired functional behavior of the ICis first specified. Next, the various functional blocks needed toimplement the desired functions are selected and strategically placed onthe die of the IC. The output signal responses to anticipated inputsignal conditions of the functional blocks are defined. A processingtechnology suitable for the intended operating clock frequency and thecircuit complexity of the IC is selected. The functional blocks are thenimplemented using circuit elements fabricated using the selected processtechnology. Finally, the circuit is fabricated and tested for properfunctioning in response to the anticipated input signal conditions.

With the ever increasing complexity of large scale integrated (LSI)circuits, especially very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits, theproduction of a completely bug-free and robust IC in a single design andfabrication cycle is an elusive if not impossible task. In addition,because the complex IC processing technology is aggravated by shrinkingline geometries and interconnect resolutions, slight variations indopant levels or imperfections in circuit elements can cause afunctional block to behave in a manner substantially different thanintended. As a result, the unintended process variations can multiplythe detrimental effects of any design problems and increase thedeviation between the intended functional behavior and actual behaviorof the IC.

While conventional computer aided design (CAD) tools such as circuitsimulators are useful for predicting the behavior of ICs prior tofabrication, these CAD tools depend on mathematical models forapproximating the underlying behavior of the circuit elements. Further,the achievable accuracy and resulting dependability of the ICsimulations are limited by the available computer resource and the ICcomplexity. Hence, the generation of complete and accurate simulationsof an entire VLSI circuit under all possible input signal and operatingconditions is highly improbable. As a result, CAD tools have limitedusefulness for detecting and correcting design errors.

Although conventional techniques for correcting some types of design andprocessing problems after fabrication do exist, these techniques onlyprovide a partial solution because they provide limited relief and havemajor inherent disadvantages. Examples of conventional techniquesinclude laser trimming of IC elements such as resistors, and theincorporation of redundant memory elements selectable by fusible links.

Laser trimming involves using a narrowly focused laser beam to remove byvaporizing a portion of an element or creating an electrical shortacross a portion of an element. In either case, the laser beamnecessitates access to the IC itself and the resulting changes areirreversible, i.e., permanent in nature. In addition, the laser beam maycause damage to the surrounding crystalline structure of the IC and alsocreates a considerable amount of debris which can contaminatesurrounding circuit elements, unless an extra area of the IC isdedicated for the creation of buffer zones.

Redundant circuits are generally cost effective only in circuits with alarge number of predominantly repetitive functional blocks, e.g., memoryarrays. For example, redundant memory circuits enables a designer tointernally replace a faulty memory circuit with one of the redundantmemory circuits after fabrication thereby partially mitigating theeffects of design and/or processing problems. However, the location ofthe replacement redundant memory circuit typically results in a longersignal path with the accompanying increase in parasitic resistance andcapacitance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,836, Reed, discloses a redundant memorystorage structure implemented using duplicate arrays connected to laserzappable fuses.

Hence there is a need for VLSI circuits with target portion(s) which canbe changeably tuned after fabrication to correct any circuit designproblem and/or compensate for unintended parametric variations arisingfrom the process steps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for repairing orimproving the behavior of a tunable circuit of an integrated circuit(IC) when a target parameter exceeds a predetermined range due to adesign and/or fabrication problem. The tunable circuit includes one ormore tuning controllers for tuning a corresponding number of targetcircuits. Each tuning controller includes one or more registers and anoptional decoder. Each target circuit includes a tunable portion and afunctional portion. The functional portion can have one or more of awide variety of functions including but not limited to logical gates,buffers, signal generators and amplifiers. The selectable parameters ofthe tunable circuit include timing delays, trip voltages or rise/falltimes.

When a circuit designer wishes to tune the target parameter, for examplein an attempt to correct the design or fabrication problem, anappropriate tuning pattern is latched into registers of the tuningcontroller. The tuning pattern can be provided to the tuning controllervia input/output (I/O) pins of the IC package. In turn, the tuningcontroller generates corresponding tuning pattern signals enablingtarget circuit(s) to changeably tune the target parameter by selectivelyenabling different tunable portions of the target circuit.

In one embodiment, the target circuit is an amplification circuit andthe target parameter is a timing delay for a control strobe signal of asense amplifier of the amplification circuit. Hence, the tunable portionis a delay stage and the functional portion is the sense amplifier. Inthis example, a pair of differential input signals provided to the senseamplifier is substantially delayed by a design or fabrication problem.As a result, the strobe signal is now premature and must be delayed byat least a corresponding amount of time. A multiplexer is used to selectan appropriate delay in the timing of the strobe signal.

In another exemplary embodiment, the functional portion of the targetcircuit is a buffer with a selectable rise/fall time. By selecting theappropriate load resistance and/or capacitance of the tunable portion ofthe buffer, the rise/fall time of the buffer is tuned for compatibilitywith respect to the other portions of the IC.

The tunable circuit of the present invention advantageously lends itselfto post-fabrication correction of design or fabrication problems,thereby increasing the potential yield rate. In addition, the tunablecircuit can be tested under different operating conditions in anon-destructive manner without the need for another time-consuming andcostly IC fabrication cycle. Other advantages include the ability toselectively operate target circuit(s) of the IC at a higher speed underideal conditions and at a lower speed under hostile conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the system of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following description in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a tunable circuit inaccordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are truth tables showing two exemplary sets of tuningpatterns provided by a decoder of the tunable circuit.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating a tunable amplification circuit.

FIG. 3B is a timing diagram showing a simulated and an actual delayedstrobe signal of the amplification circuit of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a circuit diagram of a tunable signal conditioning buffer.

FIG. 4B is a table showing representative rise times of the outputsignal of the buffer of FIG. 4A in response to tuning patterns.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are block, logic and circuit diagrams, respectively,of a tunable "domino" logic circuit.

FIG. 5D is a table showing the trip voltage of a domino stage of FIGS.5A-5C as a function of exemplary tuning patterns.

FIG. 6A is a circuit diagram of a tunable reference voltage generator.

FIGS. 6B and 6C are tables showing the output reference voltages andimpedances, respectively, of the voltage generator of FIG. 6A as afunction of exemplary tuning patterns.

FIG. 7A is a circuit diagram of a tunable inverting buffer.

FIG. 7B is a table showing representative rise/fall times of theinverting buffer of FIG. 7A in response to tuning patterns.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following description, numerous details provide a thoroughunderstanding of the invention. These details include functional blocksand exemplary combinations of tuning and targeted circuits to assist acircuit designer in implementing a tunable circuit. In addition, whilethe tunable IC of the present invention is described with reference tospecific CMOS implementations and process technologies, the invention isapplicable to a wide variety of process technologies, e.g., NMOS,bipolar-CMOS (BiCMOS) and emitter coupled logic (ECL). In otherinstances, well-known circuits and structures are not described indetail so as not to obscure the invention unnecessarily.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of tunable circuit 100 inaccordance with the present invention. Tunable circuit 100 includes oneor more tuning controllers 110, 120, . . . 190 for tuning acorresponding plurality of target circuits 101, 102, . . . 109. Eachtuning controller includes one or more latches/registers and an optionaldecoder. Input data streams (A, B, C, D, E, F) is provided at therespective input nodes of six exemplary latches 112, 113, 122, 123, 192,193. For example, tuning controller 110 includes latches 112, 113 and adecoder 114, with input data streams (A, B) provided at input nodes112a, 113a, respectively. Output nodes 112c, 113c of latches 112, 113,respectively, are coupled to decoder 114. In turn, output node 114c ofdecoder 114 are coupled to target circuit 101. Note that due to therepetitive nature of tuning controllers 110, 120, . . . 190, adescription of the combination comprising tuning controller 110 andtarget circuit 101 is equally applicable to the respective combinationsof tuning controller and target circuits 120 and 102, . . . 190 and 109.In addition, target circuits 101, 102, . . . 109 can be any one ofexemplary target circuits described in greater detail below, orcombinations thereof.

The operation of tunable circuit 100 is as follows. First, latches 112,113 are loaded via input nodes 112a, 113a, respectively, with theappropriate tuning states for generating a tuning pattern whichcorresponds to a desired circuit parameter, e.g., a trip voltage level,for target circuit 101. Latches 112, 113 are clocked using a suitableclock signal, e.g., a "TUNING RESET & SYSTEM CLK" signal, via AND gate111 during a reset cycle, e.g., a system-wide reset cycle or a tuningreset cycle. In this example, input nodes 112a, 113a receive serialinput data streams (A, B) representing the desired tuning states so asto reduce the number of required input/output (I/O) pins for tunablecircuit 100. These tuning states are made available at output nodes112c, 113c of latches 112, 113 and provided to input nodes 114a, 114b ofdecoder 114, respectively. Next, decoder 114 converts the tuning statesinto the selected tuning pattern at output node 114c. The tuning patternis then provided to input node 101a of target circuit 101. In someembodiments, depending on the degree of tuning granularity desired,decoder 114 may be eliminated, with latches 112, 113 directly providingthe tuning pattern. In other embodiments, where the circuit complexityof tuning controllers 110, 120, . . . 190 is of concern, latches 112,113, 122, 123, . . . 192, 193 can be replaced with fusible links,thereby trading off flexibility for reduced circuit complexity. FIGS. 2Aand 2B are truth tables showing two exemplary sets of tuning patterns,corresponding to input data streams (A, B), and provided by decoder 114,wherein n=2, k=4, and prg=(prg1, prg2, prg3, prg4).

As discussed above, target circuit 101 can be one of a wide variety ofcircuits. Target circuit 101 includes a tunable portion and a functionalportion. FIGS. 3A, 4A, 5A, 5B, 6A and 7A show exemplary implementationsof target circuits. In addition, target circuit 101 can also be acombination of two or more of the exemplary circuits.

In one embodiment of target circuit 101 as shown in FIG. 3A, targetcircuit 101 is an amplification circuit 300. The tunable portionincludes a selectable delay stage 310 and a multiplexor (MUX) 320. Thefunctional portion of target circuit 101 is a sense amplifier 330 ofamplification circuit 300. In this embodiment, delay stage 310 is anon-inverting buffer circuit, e.g., an even number of cascadedinverters. MUX 320 can be replaced by fusible links or equivalents.

A strobe signal Vin for controlling sense amplifier 330 is provided atinput node 312 of delay stage 310 and also at a first input node 322 ofMUX 320. Consequently, a delayed strobe signal Vind produced at outputnode 314 of delay stage 310 is provided to a second input node 324 ofMUX 320. One of the two input signals provided to MUX 320 is selected bya tuning pattern signal prg1 via control node 326. The selected outputcontrol signal Vinc at the output node 328 of MUX 320 is provided to acontrol node 336 of sense amplifier 330, thereby providing a delayselectable strobe signal Vinc at control node 336.

Applications of amplification circuit 300 include a memory array wheresense amplifier 330 may be shared by a column of memory cells (notshown). A pair of differential output signals from the memory column isprovided as a pair of differential input signals to input nodes 332, 334of sense amplifier 330. In one scenario, as shown in the timing diagramof FIG. 3B, the actual data valid signal corresponding to thedifferential input signals provided to sense amplifier 330 is delayed bytime t relative to the simulated data valid signal computed during thedesign stage. As a result, strobe signal Vin is now premature withrespect to the differential input signals. In this scenario, MUX 320 isused to select the delayed strobe signal path (delayed by time d)through delay stage 310, wherein d is greater than or equal to t,thereby providing an appropriately delayed strobe signal for controllingsense amplifier 330.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, target circuit 101 is asignal conditioning buffer 400 and the tunable parameter is the riseand/or fall time of an output signal Vout generated at node 446corresponding to the rise/fall time of intermediate signals Va, Vb atnodes 436a, 436b, respectively. Buffer 400 includes inverting stages410a, 410b, resistive pull-up/pull-down circuits 420a, 420b, capacitivecircuits 430a, 430b and an output stage 440. Hence, the tunable portionof buffer 400 includes pull-up circuits 420a, 420b and capacitivecircuits 430a, 430b, while the function portion of buffer 400 includesinverting stages 410a, 410b and output stage 440. Note that othercombinations of pull-up/pull-down and/or capacitive circuits coupled toVdd/Vss are possible.

Inverting stage 410a includes a pair of FETs 414a, 416a which arecoupled in series between node 422a and Vss (ground). The gates of FETs414a, 416a are coupled to input node 412a of buffer 400. Output node418a of inverting stage 410a is coupled to node 436a of capacitivecircuit 430a and also to the gate of FET 442 of output stage 440.

Similarly, inverting stage 410b includes a pair of FETs 414b, 416b whichare coupled in series between node 422b and Vdd (power). The gates ofFETs 414b, 416b are coupled to input node 412b of buffer 400. Outputnode 418b of inverting stage 410b is coupled to node 436b of capacitivecircuit 430b and also to the gate of FET 444 of output stage 440.

Resistive pull-up circuit 420a includes two pass FETs 424a, 426a and twocorresponding load resistors R1, R2. The drains of pass FETs 424a, 426aare coupled to node 422a. Resistors R1, R2 are coupled between Vdd andthe respective sources of FETs 424a, 426a. In addition, a load resistorR3 is permanently coupled between Vdd and node 422a. In this example,the resistive values of resistors R1, R2 and R3 are 1K ohm, 2K ohm and4K ohm, respectively.

Similarly, resistive pull-down circuit 420b includes two pass FETs 424b,426b and two corresponding load resistors R4, R5. The drains of passFETs 424b, 426b are coupled to node 422b. Resistors R4, R5 are coupledbetween Vss and the respective sources of FETs 424b, 426b. In addition,a load resistor R6 is permanently coupled between Vss and node 422b. Inthis example, the resistive values of resistors R4, R5 and R6 are 1Kohm, 2K ohm and 4K ohm, respectively.

Hence pull-up resistive circuit 420a provides tuning capability for thefall-time of output signal Vout while complementary pull-down resistivecircuit 420b provide tuning capability for the rise-time of outputsignal Vout. Although resistive circuits 420a, 420b each include twoselectable resistors R1, R2, and R4, R5 respectively, it is apparent toone skilled in the art to modify circuits 420a, 420b by increasing ordecreasing the number of resistor/FET pairs and/or to use differentresistive values.

Capacitive circuit 430a includes a pass FET 432a and a capacitive load434a coupled in series between node 436a and Vdd. Capacitive circuit430b includes a pass FET 432b and a capacitive load 434b coupled inseries between node 436b and Vss. Additional capacitive circuits canalso be added to increase the tuning capability of buffer 400. In someembodiments, pass FETs 432a, 432b are replaced by fusible links.

Output stage 440 includes a pair of FETs 442, 444 coupled in seriesbetween Vdd and Vss. The gate of FET 442 is coupled to node 418a ofinverter stage 410a and also to node Va capacitive circuit 430a, whilethe gate of FET 444 is coupled to node 418b of inverter stage 410b andalso to node Vb of capacitive circuit 430b. Since output stage 440 isalso an inverting stage, functionally, buffer 400 is a non-inverting.

The operation of buffer 400 is as follows. An input signal Vin isprovided to input nodes 412a, 412b of buffer 400. In addition, tuningsignals prg1, prg2, nprg3 (prg3) are provided to the gates of pass FETs424a, 426a and 432a, for selecting resistors R1, R2 and capacitive load434a, respectively. Similarly, tuning signals nprg1 (prg1), nprg2(prg2), prg3 are provided to the gates of pass FETs 424b, 426b and 432b,for selecting resistors R4, R5 and capacitive load 434b, respectively.The rise/fall times of output signal Vout produced by buffer 400 istuned by selectively engaging/disengaging one or more of resistor pairsR1, R4, and R2, R5 and capacitive load pair 434a, 434b.

FIG. 4B is a table showing representative rise/fall times of signals Va,Vb at nodes 436a, 436b, respectively, in response to the respectivetuning patterns formed by tuning signals prg1, prg2, prg3. For example,by selecting both resistor pairs R1, R4, and R2, R5, the resistance ofpull-up circuit 420a and the resistance of pull-down circuit 420b arereduced to a minimal level thereby increasing the speed of the rise timeof output signal Vout. Similarly, by deselecting capacitive load pair434a, 434b, the rise time of output signal Vout is speeded up.Conversely, by deselecting resistor pairs R1, R4 and R2, R5 and/orselecting capacitive load pair 434a, 434b, the rise time of outputsignal Vout can be slowed down. In this example, rise/fall times ofsignals Va/Vb t1<t2<t3< . . . t8. Note that since the power consumptionof buffer 400 is dependent on the values of load resistors R1, R2, R4,R5, and capacitive loads, 434a, 434b selectable load resistors R1, R2,R4, R5 and capacitive loads 434a, 434b can also be used to control thepower consumption of buffer 400 by using suitable tuning patternsprovided to buffer 400 via pass FETs 424a, 426a, 424b, 426b, and passFETs 432a, 432b, respectively.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in the block, logic and circuitdiagrams of FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, respectively, target circuit 101 is a"domino" logic circuit 500 having a tunable trip threshold voltageVtrip. Referring first to the block diagram of FIG. 5A, circuit 500includes two domino stages 501, 502 coupled in series. First dominostage 501 includes first logic stage 510, a first inverter 520 and afirst pull-up circuit 530. Second domino stage 502 includes a secondlogic stage 540, a second inverter 550 and a second pull-up circuit 560.Note that additional "domino" logic stages can be added to circuit 500depending on the application.

In this implementation, the output node of first logic stage 510 iscoupled to the input node of first inverter 520. Inverter 520 is coupledto Vdd via first pull-up circuit 530. In turn, the output node of firstinverter 520 is coupled to the input node of second logic stage 540.Similarly, the output node of second logic stage 540 is coupled to theinput node of second inverter 550. Inverter 550 is coupled to Vdd viasecond pull-up circuit 560. Hence, logic stages 510, 540 and inverters520, 550 form the functional portion, while pull-up circuits 530, 560form the tunable portion.

FIG. 5B is a logical example of circuit 500 wherein first logic stage510 provides a "NAND" function and second logic stage 540 provides a"G=D*(E+F)" logic function. ("+"≡"OR", "*"≡"AND") Referring now to FIG.5C, an exemplary CMOS implementation of exemplary circuit 500 of FIG. 5Billustrates first and second domino stages 501, 502 in detail.

First logic stage, NAND gate 510, includes a PMOS FET 511 and three NMOSFETs 512, 513, 514 coupled in series between Vdd and Vss. A system clocksignal CLK is provided at gate 511a of FET 511. The junction formed bythe drains of FETs 511, 512 is coupled to an output node 518. Firstinverter 520 includes a PMOS FET 521 and an NMOS FET 522 coupled inseries between Vdd and Vss. An output node 526 is formed at the junctionof the drains of FETs 521, 522. First pull-up circuit 530 includes PMOSFETs 531, 532, 533, with the drain of FET 532 coupled to input node 523of inverter 520, the source of FET 533 coupled to the drains of bothFETs 531, 532, and the sources of FETs 531, 532 coupled to Vdd. The gateof FET 533 is also coupled to the output node 526 of inverter 520.

Second logic stage 540 includes PMOS FET 541 and NMOS FETs 542, 543,544, 545. System clock signal CLK is provided at gates of FETs 541 and545. FETs 541, 542, 543, 545 are coupled in series between Vdd and Vss.In addition, FETs 543 and 544 coupled to each other in parallel. Thejunction formed by the drains of FETs 541, 542 is coupled to input node553 of second inverter 550. Second inverter 550 includes a PMOS FET 551and an NMOS FET 552 coupled in series between Vdd and Vss. An outputnode 556 is formed at the junction of the drains of FETs 551, 552 iscoupled to output node Vout. Second pull-up circuit 560 includes PMOSFETs 561, 562, 563, with the drain of FET 563 coupled to input node 553of inverter 550, the source of FET 563 coupled to the drains of bothFETs 561, 562, and the sources of FETs 561, 562 coupled to Vdd. The gateof FET 563 is also coupled to the output node 556 of inverter 550. Theoperation of domino stages 501, 502 is as follows.

Input logic signals A, B and C are provided at gates 512a, 513a, 514a ofFETs 512, 513, 514, respectively. As a result, output node 518 of NANDgate 510 provides a logical NAND of input signals A, B, C, i.e., A*B*C,to input node 523 of inverter stage 520. In turn, inverter stage 520provides an output logic signal D, wherein "D=A*B*C", at output node526.

The "D" logic signal is provided at the gate of FET 542. In addition,input logic signals E and F are provided at the gates of FETs 543, 544.As discussed above, second logic stage 540 provides a "G=D*(E+F)" logicfunction. Hence, the logical function provided by the combination ofdomino stages 501 and 502 is "G=(A*B*C)*(E+F)".

Since the tuning portions of domino circuits 501, 502 are similar, thefollowing description of pull-up circuit 530 is also applicable topull-up circuit 560. In accordance with the invention, tuning patternsignals prg1, prg2 are provided to the respective gates of FETs 531, 532thereby enabling a designer to adjust the threshold trip voltage Vtrip,of first domino stage 501. Similarly, tuning pattern signals prg3, prg4are provided to the respective gates of FETs 561, 562 control thethreshold trip voltage Vtrip of second domino stage 502. Hence, tuningpattern signals prg1, prg2, prg3 and prg4 can be used to vary the Vtripof output signal Vout generated by circuit 500.

FIG. 5D is a table illustrating exemplary trip voltage Vtrip of firstdomino stage 501 as a function of tuning pattern signals prg1, prg2. Inthis example, different combinations of tuning pattern signals prg1,prg2 produces Vtrip voltage levels ranging between 0.5 volts and 1.3volts. Since pull-up circuits 530, 560 are similar in operation, tuningsignals prg3, prg4 will vary the Vtrip of second domino stage 502 in asimilar manner. Other voltage ranges and intervals are possible byadding additional pull-up circuit(s) to domino logic circuit 500,thereby extending the Vtrip voltage range and granularity of voltageintervals.

FIG. 6A is a circuit diagram of another embodiment of targeted circuit101. In this embodiment, targeted circuit 101 is a reference voltagegenerator 600 and the tunable parameter is a reference voltage Vrefproduced by generator 600. Voltage generator 600 includes a voltagedivider 610, first and second pull-up circuits 620, 630, and first andsecond pull-down circuits 640, 650. Functional portion includes voltagedivider 610 while tunable portion includes circuits 620, 630, 640, 650.While P-channel FETs are described in this embodiment, it will beapparent to one skilled in the art to substitute N-channel FETs in placeof the P-channel FETs with the appropriate modifications.

Voltage divider 610 includes a pair of FETs 612, 614 coupled in seriesbetween Vdd and Vss. The gate and drain of FET 612 and the source of FET614 are coupled to output node 690. The gate and drain of FET 614 arecoupled to Vss.

First pull-up circuit 620 includes FETs 622, 624 coupled in seriesbetween Vdd and output node 690. The gate of FET 624 is also coupled tooutput node 690. First pull-down circuit 640 includes an FET 642 whosesource and drain are coupled to output node 690 and Vss, respectively.In this embodiment, second pull-up circuit 630, similar in structure tofirst pull-up circuit 620, provides additional voltage range forreference voltage Vref. Additional pull-up circuits can be added tofurther increase the range of voltage Vref.

In this embodiment, second pull-down circuit 650, similar in structureto first pull-down circuit 640 provide additional voltage range forreference voltage Vref. Additional pull-down circuits can be added tofurther increase the range of voltage Vref.

Tuning of voltage generator 600 is accomplished by tuning patternsignals prg1, prg2, prg3, prg4 provided at the gates of FETs 622, 632,642, 652, respectively. By selecting one or more pull-up circuits620,630, reference voltage Vref can be incrementally increased.Conversely, by selecting one or more pull-down circuits 640, 650,reference voltage can be incrementally decreased. FIG. 6B is a tableshowing exemplary voltages levels of reference Vref in response totuning pattern signals prg1, prg2, prg3 and prg4, wherein Vdd is 2.5volts.

Tuning pattern signals prg1, prg2, prg3, prg4 can also be used tocontrol the impedance of voltage generator 600. FIG. 6C show exemplaryimpedances of generator 600 in response to tuning pattern signals prg1,prg2, prg3 and prg4.

Referring now to FIG. 7A illustrating yet another embodiment of targetcircuit 101, target 101 is an inverting buffer 700 including aninverting stage 710, first and second resistive stages 720, 730,capacitive circuits 740, 750, 760 and 770. Resistive stage 720 includesa P-channel FET 722, an N-channel FET 724 and a first resistor R1coupled in parallel. Similarly, resistive stage 730 includes a P-channelFET 732, an N-channel FET 734 and a second resistor R2 coupled inparallel. Each of capacitive circuits 740, 750 include a P-channel FETand a capacitive load coupled in series between Vdd and output node 790,while each of capacitive circuits 760, 770 include an N-channel FET anda capacitive load coupled in series between output node 790 and Vss.

Functionally, resistive stages 720, 730 provide coarse rise/fall timecontrol for buffer 700. Capacitive circuits 740, 750, 760, 770, arefunctionally similar to capacitive circuits in the embodiment of FIG.4A, and provide fine control for either rise/fall-time and consequentlypower consumption of buffer 700.

Tuning pattern signals prg1, prg2, nprg3 (prg3), nprg4 (prg4) areprovided to the gates of pass FETs 722, 732, 742, 752. Similarly, tuningpattern signals nprg1 (prg1), nprg2 (prg2), prg3, prg4 are provided tothe gates of pass FETs 724, 734, 762, 772. Resistor R1 of resistivestage 720 is bypassed by turning on both FETs 722 and 724. Similarly,resistor R2 of resistive stage 730 is bypassed by turning on both FETs732 and 734. Capacitive circuits 740, 750, 760, 770, are selected byturning on FETs 742, 752, 762, 772, respectively. FIG. 7B is a tableshowing exemplary rise/fall times of output signal Vout generated bybuffer 700 as a function of tuning patterns. In this example, rise/falltimes of output signal Vout t1<t2<t3 . . . <t16.

While the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments, numerous additions and modifications are possible withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. For example, the pass FET(s)of target circuits may be replaced by fusible links to effect permanentchanges or by analog switches capable of selecting a suitable valuewithin a range of tuning parameters. Hence, the scope of the inventionshould be determined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for tuning an integrated circuit (IC)that has a target parameter functioning outside of a range of valuesthat is proper under any operating conditions of the IC, said ICincluding a tuning controller and a target circuit coupled to saidtuning controller, the target circuit including a tunable portion and afunctional portion for perfoming an intended function, the methodcomprising the steps of:decoding a tuning pattern; generating a tuningsignal corresponding to said decoded tuning pattern when it is desirableto tune said integrated circuit (IC) to a target parameter; andproviding said tuning signal to said tunable portion for changeablymodifying the operation of said target circuit, thereby causing saidfunctional portion to operate in a manner wherein said target parameteris within a predetermined range while said functional portion remainsenabled.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said tuning signal isgenerated in response to a tuning pattern provided via input/output(I/O) pins of said IC.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said targetparameter is a reference voltage.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein saidtarget parameter is an output impedance.
 5. The method of claim 1wherein the step of tuning includes the step of selectively enabling ordisabling an element of said tunable portion.
 6. A tunable integratedcircuit (IC) comprising:a target circuit including a tunable portion anda functional portion for performing an intended function; and a tuningcontroller for generating a tuning signal for said target circuit whenit is determined that a target parameter of the IC is operating outsidea range that is proper under any operating conditions of the functionalportion, said tuning signal changeably modifying the operation of saidtarget circuit thereby causing said functional portion to operate in amanner wherein said target parameter operates within the proper rangewhile said functional portion remains enabled, said tuning controllerincluding a decoder for decoding a tuning pattern corresponding to thetarget parameter.
 7. The tunable IC of claim 6 wherein said tuningsignal is generated in response to a tuning pattern provided viainput/output (I/O) pins of said IC.
 8. The tunable IC of claim 6 whereinsaid target parameter is a reference voltage.
 9. The tunable IC of claim6 wherein said target parameter is an output impedance.
 10. The tunableIC of claim 6 wherein said tuning controller selectively enables ordisables an element of said tunable portion.
 11. A tuning controlleruseful in association with tuning a target circuit of an integratedcircuit, the target circuit including a tunable portion and a functionalportion for performing an intended function, said tuning controllercomprising:a latch for producing a tuning signal to said target circuitwhen a target parameter of said functional portion is operating outsideof a range that is proper under any operating conditions of thefunctional portion, said tuning signal changeably modifying theoperation of said target circuit thereby causing said functional portionto operate in a manner wherein said target parameter is within theproper range while said functional portion remains enabled.
 12. Thetuning controller of claim 11 further comprising a decoder forgenerating said tuning signal from a tuning pattern provided to saiddecoder.
 13. The tuning controller of claim 12 wherein said tuningpattern is provided via input/output (I/O) pins of said IC.
 14. Thetuning controller of claim 11 wherein said target parameter is areference voltage.
 15. The tuning controller of claim 11 wherein saidtarget parameter is an output impedance.
 16. The tuning controller ofclaim 11 wherein said tuning controller selectively enables or disablesan element of said tunable portion.
 17. A method for tuning anintegrated circuit (IC) that is functioning outside of a range that isproper under any operating conditions of the IC, said IC including atuning controller and a target circuit coupled to said tuningcontroller, said target circuit including a tunable portion and afunctional portion for performing an intended function, the methodcomprising the steps of:decoding a tuning pattern; generating a tuningsignal corresponding to said decoded tuning patter when it is desirableto tune said integrated circuit (IC) to a reference voltage; andproviding said tuning signal to said tunable portion for changeablymodifying the operation of said target circuit thereby causing saidfunctional portion to operate in a manner wherein said reference voltageis within the proper range while said functional portion remainsenabled.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein said tuning signal isgenerated in response to a tuning pattern provided via input/output(I/O) pins of said IC.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the step oftuning includes the step of selectively enabling or disabling an elementof said tunable portion.
 20. A tunable integrated circuit (IC)comprising:a target circuit including a tunable portion and a functionalportion for performing an intended function; and a tuning controller forgenerating a tuning signal for said target circuit when it is determinedthat a reference voltage of the IC is operating outside a range that isproper under any operating conditions of said functional portion, saidtuning signal changeably modifying the operation of said target circuitthereby causing said functional portion to operate in a manner whereinsaid reference voltage operates within the proper range while saidfunctional portion remains enabled, said tuning controller including adecoder for decoding a tuning pattern corresponding to the referencevoltage.
 21. The tunable IC of claim 20, wherein said tuning signal isgenerated in response to a tuning pattern provided via input/output(I/O) pins of said IC.
 22. The tunable IC of claim 20, wherein saidtuning controller selectively enables or disables an element of saidtunable portion.
 23. A tuning controller useful in association withtuning a target circuit of an integrated circuit, the target circuitincluding a tunable portion and a functional portion for performing anintended function, said tuning controller comprising:a latch forproducing a tuning signal to said target circuit when a referencevoltage of said functional portion is operating outside of a range forsaid reference voltage that is proper under any operating conditions ofthe functional portion, said tuning signal changeably modifying theoperation of said target circuit thereby causing said functional portionto operate in a manner wherein said reference voltage operates withinthe proper range while said functional portion remains enabled.
 24. Thetuning controller of claim 23, further comprising a decoder forgenerating said tuning signal from a tuning pattern provided to saiddecoder.
 25. The tuning controller of claim 23, wherein said referencevoltage is provided via input/output (I/O) pins of said IC.
 26. Thetuning controller of claim 23, wherein said tuning controllerselectively enables or disables an element of said tunable portion.